Homological (Adjective)
Meaning
Similar in evolutionary origin but not in function.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The wings of birds and the flippers of whales are homological structures, sharing a common ancestor but serving different purposes.
- The forelimbs of vertebrates, such as the human arm and the wing of a bat, are homological, having evolved from a common precursor.
- The eye of an octopus and the eye of a human are homological, sharing a similar evolutionary origin but having distinct functional differences.
- The pentadactyl limbs of tetrapods, including humans and frogs, are homological, indicating a shared ancestry despite their varying forms and functions.
- The similarities between the auditory ossicles of mammals and the jaw bones of reptiles suggest that they are homological, having evolved from a common ancestral structure.